A new mayor, another liquor license

MANLIUS – The village of Manlius is officially under new rule, as village President Robin Hewitt was sworn in at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Previous village President Gene Menard walked out of February’s board meeting after submitting his letter of resignation.

Menard had explained his reason for leaving was because the board had argued for almost a year on a request from resident Tammy Benson to increase the two village liquor licenses to three. The issue made the agenda several times and failed twice, according to Menard.

Because 99 residents had signed a petition against a new liquor license, Menard was against the third license.

Menard announced he would not run for re-election in the upcoming April election. Robin Hewitt was the only name submitted to run for village president in the election, therefore he wears the hat early.

On Tuesday, the liquor license issue made the agenda once again. The board had apparently voted for the third license at the February meeting, however village clerk Lori Roush explained the county clerk informed her because the issue was not on the February agenda, the board would have to re-vote on the issue in March.

“The vote from before does not count because it was not on the agenda,” she said. “If it would have been put on the agenda, it would have been done and over with.”

On Tuesday, the board voted in favor of preparing an ordinance for the third liquor license. The motion was made by board member Trisha Johnson, and it was seconded by board member Jan Williams. The vote was split with board members Donna Ericson, Joe Hunt and Dawn Reglin voting against the ordinance. The tie was broken with Hewitt’s vote in favor of the ordinance.